Notes

Anticipate lane blockages and select the lane with the fewest conflicts.
A visual lead of one and a half blocks (20 to 30 seconds ahead) will help you identify the best lane to travel in. Look ahead to identify lane blockages well in advance so that you'll have enough time to make a lane change if necessary.
If there's no gap to make a lane change, ask for permission by using your turn signal and making eye contact with another driver. Drivers are more likely to cooperate if you treat them courteously.



Look for stoppages that could cause you to be stuck in an intersection.
As you scan the road ahead, look for other cars' brake lights to determine if vehicles ahead of you are stopped. Don't enter an intersection unless you're sure there's enough room for you on the other side.
If the light is green as you approach the intersection, be prepared for it to change soon. If the light is red, observe the volume of cross traffic flowing through the intersection so you can predict how long it will take for the intersection to clear.

Plan ahead for anticipated turns.
You should always know ahead of time where you're going to turn, especially when driving in heavy traffic. Since it's frequently difficult to change lanes when the roads are crowded, plan to get into the proper lane two or three blocks in advance.

Watch for pedestrians near the roadway or in a crosswalk and be prepared to yield.
When driving in an area where pedestrians are common, always be prepared to stop if someone enters the roadway. When turning left, dealing with pedestrians as well as cross traffic may require patience and caution, so be ready for anything!


Only pass when you're sure it is safe.
When traveling on a multi-lane road, you'll eventually find that you need to pass another vehicle. Check all traffic around you to make sure the maneuver will not interfere with another driver. Be careful that no one's preparing to move into the zone you plan to occupy.
Always pass on the left if possible. If you must pass on the right, make sure you're not driving somewhere that the maneuver is prohibited.




Treat other drivers with courtesy.
Extend the same consideration to other drivers that you would like them to extend to you. When another driver seeks to change lanes, turn, or enter traffic, be sure to give them plenty of space.
When another driver attempts to pass you, you should give way, maintain a steady speed, and not maneuver until the other car has safely returned to your lane.



Recall that at most intersections, you should begin and end a right turn in the right-most lanes, and begin and end a left turn in the left-most lanes. However, on some multi-lane roads, additional lanes will be designated for the use of vehicles that intend to turn.
As you approach an intersection, determine what lanes can be used for turning by paying attention to lane markings and posted signs. Even if you're not planning to turn, you'll be better able to anticipate the actions of other drivers


When preparing to turn right or left at an intersection, remember that you must:

Scan the intersection and the area of the roadway you intend to enter for pedestrians, bicycles, and other vehicles.
Move to the proper position for making a turn and activate your turn signal at least 100 ft before you reach the intersection.
Proceed cautiously if your view is blocked.




To avoid conflicts with other vehicles, you should begin and end a turn in corresponding lanes. For instance, if you're turning right out of the second lane from the right on one roadway, you should complete the turn in the second lane from the right on the new roadway.
Never turn alongside another vehicle. Keep your car ahead of or behind a vehicle in an adjacent lane that is turning at the same time as you.



Turning left can be especially difficult at multi-lane intersections because the driver will need to travel through several lanes of cross traffic to complete the turn.
On some roads, a short lane reserved for traffic turning left will appear shortly before you reach the intersection. Designed to facilitate traffic flow, these lanes are known as left turn bays.



Frequently, there will be a constant stream of cross traffic preventing a driver from completing a left turn. In such situations, he or she will need to remain stopped (with wheels pointing straight ahead) in the middle of the intersection until cross traffic has ceased because the signal has turned yellow or red.
Because a car planning to turn left may remain in the intersection after the signals have changed, always remember to wait for the intersection to clear before proceeding on a green signal.



Whenever you're planning to travel between two areas that are separated by a significant distance, your best option will generally be an expressway.
Expressways (such as interstates, freeways, and some highways) allow vehicles to travel faster than local roadways because there are no intersections where drivers have to yield.



Expressways typically carry a high volume of traffic moving at high speeds (up to 75 mph). On most expressways, there will be two to four lanes moving in the same direction, usually divided by a cement barrier or a grassy median.
These are known as controlled-access roadways because traffic can enter and exit only in certain areas, called interchanges.


Expressways have many advantages, including:

The capacity to carry larger volumes of traffic
The ability to expedite travel
The absence of cross traffic
The use of a barrier to separate opposing lanes of traffic
The fact that pedestrians and bicyclists are prohibited
The use of design elements that help drivers anticipate upcoming conditions and avoid collisions with objects on the roadside

Although expressways are among the nation's safest roads, driving on them requires special skills. Because of the high speed and volume of traffic on modern expressways, you must be able to make complex, split-second decisions at critical moments.
On expressways, drivers must devote their full concentration to the driving task so they have enough time to search the road, evaluate conditions, and execute the appropriate maneuver.



The experience of expressway driving is unique due to the high speeds, large volume of traffic, presence of large trucks, frequently changing traffic conditions, and increased opportunities for driver interaction.
Because there are multiple lanes available, lane selection is critical. Remember to choose the lane that poses the fewest potential conflicts.